Kirstine Reynolds is owner and groomer at Groom With A View.

In her own words:

“I grew up in Salt Lake City and graduated from West High School a million years ago. I attended SLCC but could never really fix on a major. I changed my major four times over the 18 years it has taken me to NOT get my associates degree. I started with English and gave up with biology, though I enjoyed everything I learned in between. I’ve worked in the pet industry for well over 20 years. I’ve managed pet stores, worked as a pet store clerk and worked at a pet supply wholesaler. I moved to Draper 18 years ago and live here with an undisclosed number of pets. I have always loved animals and have had every type of them, from snakes to goats.

“In 2007 I was working in a call center and was completely miserable. A friend saw a help wanted ad for a pet groomer and said I should apply for it. My exact words were, “I already have a job I hate.” and then, “Groomers are crazy.” I had previously managed the Specialty Department at Petsmart. They had a grooming department and the groomers were, decidedly, odd. I couldn’t get the idea out of my mind. The more I thought about it the more I thought I would like it. I also had to admit to myself that I AM a little bit odd. I decided I needed more information about grooming as a career. So I got on the internet and joined a pet grooming forum. I asked what it took to be a groomer. Most of the responses by current groomers tried to scare me off. “Grooming is physically demanding.” “Burn out rate is high.” “Pet parents can be emotionally demanding.” They pointed out all the unpleasant aspects of grooming (Google “anal glands”). But I wasn’t deterred. The more I read, the more I was convinced I could do the job AND I would be happy doing the job. So I moved on to asking how I should go about getting trained. At the time I was 37. I knew I didn’t have time to do an apprenticeship. So I decided to attend a school. I quit my job and did just that. The problem was that even though I asked the right questions I wan’t given truthful answers. The school taught that you trained a dog to stay on the table by pushing them off it. They also taught that Dawn dish soap was a great pet shampoo. I finished the schooling and ended up with a “certification” that I knew didn’t mean anything.

“What I did have was the desire to be the best I could be and to learn the RIGHT way to groom a pet. Because I now knew there was a RIGHT way and a WRONG way. As of 2012 pet grooming is not regulated or licensed by any state (some states are close). That means is that any person can pick up a pair of clippers and call themselves a groomer. I wanted and needed to set myself apart. I bought every book and DVD on grooming. I traveled to all the grooming conventions I could afford. I went to Dallas and then to Atlanta. I joined the International Society of Canine Cosmetologists and began working on certification to become a Master Pet Stylist. I learned the RIGHT way to groom and handle a dog. Then I joined the National Cat Groomer’s Institute of America and started working on becoming a Certified Feline Master Groomer. They teach the RIGHT way to groom and handle a cat. I finally finished my CFMG last September by flying to South Carolina and passing a series of practical and written tests. To date that is the accomplishment I am most proud of. I set a goal to be the first CFMG in Utah and I accomplished that goal.

“I worked at Lone Peak Veterinary Hospital from 2007-2012. Their doctors were amazingly patient and willing to answer all the questions I had. I learned how much grooming and the health of the pet are connected. Groomers are not medically trained and cannot diagnose illnesses but we can be the first line of defense. We see every inch of your pets skin and we notice symptoms that might indicate a more serious problem. I learned what I can do to make the job of your veterinarian easier.

“In March of 2012 I began a new adventure of opening my own business. I converted a room, that had been added onto my house, into a grooming salon. Groom with a View was born. Grooming out of my home does not mean a second-rate service. I use only the best shampoos and conditioners. I do not sacrifice the quality or safety of the pet. Grooming out of my home means that I get to use my own bathroom, listen to my own music and be around my own fur babies. I now have the flexibility to be as creative as I want. So when clients show up at my back door, they get to see my own shaved kitties and my multi-colored poodle. They might have to step over the tortoise and wait a minute while I pause my music or the current audiobook I’m listening too, but they can be assured that their pet will receive 100% of my attention and the best services available.”

KAREN DROZD IS A GROOMER WITH A RICH HERITAGE.

Karen is the normal looking one on the left, Kirstine is on the right

In February 2017 Groom with a View added a second groomer. Karen has been a good friend for ten years. She learned to groom from her mother, who ran a shop in Farmington for 40 years. Karen has been grooming for 20 years, and it proud to have a daughter follow in her footsteps. Karen’s skill set fits in perfectly for the Groom with a View client. She became a Certified Feline Master Groomer only 15 minutes after I did in 2011. She offers handstripping and is Certified through National Dog Groomers Association of America. Karen has worked with several dog rescue groups, and has fostered dozens of dogs. She currently shares her home with a Champion Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Auggie, and a rescue Pit Bull, Boris. Karen is accepting new fur clients under 40 pounds, though she may make an exception if you have a really cute Standard Poodle.